What is Claude Lemieux's cause of death? Hockey legend dies at 60
Four-time NHL Stanley Cup champion Claude Lemieux's death on Thursday, May 28 was reported as an apparent suicide in Florida, according to multiple reports.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said a family member found the body shortly before 3:30 a.m. in the rear warehouse of the Andros Home furniture showroom, reports the Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network.
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The sheriff's office said the man presumed to be Lemieux was found after he failed to return to his home. Sheriff's investigators secured the store as detectives from PBSO's Violent Crimes Division gathered evidence.
Palm Beach County court records show that Lemieux lived in an apartment in Palm Beach Gardens as recently as April 2025. State business records list Lemieux as the registered agent for Andros Home, which incorporated in 2022.
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Remembering Claude Lemieux’s NHL career in photos
Claude Lemieux’s NHL career was marked by playoff performances and key moments across multiple teams.
See the moments that trace Lemieux’s path through a long career on the ice, including his role in defining games.
Above, Goaltender Mike Richter of the USA stops Claude Lemieux of Canada on a breakaway in the third period the World Cup of Hockey at Molson Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1996. Richter made 35 saves in the game and was voted the tournament's MVP.
(Glenn Cratty, Getty Images)
USA TODAY Sports contacted the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office but was notified that the information it has for Claude Lemieux is "exempt from public records."
The Palm County Medical Examiner's Office told USA TODAY Sports in response to an open records request that "all public records you have requested for Claude Lemieux are exempt from public records as specified under SB 474 - FS 406.135. (2) (c)."
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The Florida statute cited by the Palm County Medical Examiner’s Office was enacted in 2024 and exempts photos, videos, audio recordings and autopsy reports related to suicide victims from general public records requests.
Claude Lemieux stats
Lemieux, known for his pesky play and clutch goals, won his first Stanley Cup with the Canadiens in 1986. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 1995 as the New Jersey Devils swept the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final. Lemieux won his third championship with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 and returned to the Devils for his fourth title 2000.
Lemieux played 21 NHL seasons and finished with 379 goals, 407 assists and 1,777 penalty minutes in 1,215 games.
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He also had 80 goals, including 19 game-winners, 78 assists and 529 penalty minutes in 234 playoff games. He led the playoffs in goals in 1995 and 1997, with 13 each time.
Donald Trump posts about Claude Lemieux
U.S. President Donald Trump posted on social media to honor Lemieux, who he referred to as a "tremendous 'TRUMP' supporter":
"Claude Lemieux, a true Legend of the Game, and one of the fiercest competitors Hockey has ever seen, has passed away. Claude was a friend to the family, and a tremendous “TRUMP” supporter. He won 4 Stanley Cups with 3 different Teams — Montreal, New Jersey, and Colorado — His 80 Career Playoff Goals rank among the All Time Greats. Brendan, my thoughts are with you, Deborah, and the whole Lemieux family — You and your Dad were Warriors on the Ice. Claude will be missed by all who love Winning and Toughness."
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Contributing: Palm Beach Post, Mike Brehm
If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or visit 988lifeline.org for 24/7 access to free and confidential services.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Claude Lemieux's cause of death reported after passing of NHL legend